Question: Why does Kimber have a bad reputation?

[Dice]

I have only owned a few but none of them functioned as they should. The best thing I can say is that they make pretty guns.

Kimber is pretty and expensive compared to guns that work. I have a Tisas 1911 that outshoots the Kimber

 

[Fatal_Bert]

Because they are lower quality than the many imported cheap 1911's but cost twice as much. Because their "stainless steel" will rust sitting in your climate controlled house.
Because they make fancy names for finishes that are absolutely garbage.

I've cerakoted countless "stainless" kimbers because the owners couldn't keep them from getting surface rust. So maybe I should thank them.

 

[Fatal_Bert]

My micro would not feed hollow points.

You're lucky if that POS would shoot anything.

 

[mfoster]

I thought they were designed to be carried by the little ducks on the dash guys.

 

[November Sierra]

I thought they were designed to be carried by the little ducks on the dash guys.

A gun that needs constant repair for dudes that are perpetually repairing their vehicles. Poetic.

 

[Fatal_Bert]

 

[CQB27]

A long ago history of cheap imported MIM parts, that has been corrected but not forgotten.

A history that still exists today of in the white steel barrels in some models that rust easily, like all in the white carbon steel does.

And like Fatal_Bert said, poor quality stainless steel that rusts too easily and coatings that have the durability of spray paint.

And finally an overemphasis on tight frame to slide fit that requires a long break-in period to get the weapon to function reliably,

 

[CAMSDADDY]

Sounds like they have a poor reputation because they earned it.

I’m a little gun shy of their revolvers. Most of the issues I’ve heard of were 1911 specific but im scared to take a chance.

 

[clockerman]

5” Kimbers have been flawless for me. Commander and Officer size tended to be ammo picky and the Solo 9mm I had was a malfunction machine. My Warrior is one of favorite 1911s to shoot and now has a durable finish thanks to Fatal Bert.

 

[Rougarou]

I believe that Kimber got the finish ideas from Sig only difference is lower price Kimbers have sucky finish but for Sig you have to get the limited edition and special models to get the bad finish I have had cheaper Sigs with good finish and i have had some special editions that if you even thought about putting it in a holster the finish would chip off